Jejunal injuries in a young male’s blunt abdominal trauma

Abstract

Missed hollow viscus injuries increase the mortality rate in trauma patients specifically in polytraumatized patients. A 18 years old young male patient suffered a high velocity (ca.50 km/h, 31mi/h) car crash with deployment of the airbags. The hemodynamically stable patient did not suffer any intracranial injuries but complained about severe pain in the lower abdomen. The primary survey was misleading. CT demonstrated minimal accumulation of free intraabdominal fluid. Due to persistently severe pain, the patient was taken to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy followed by exploratory laparotomy. Jejunal perforation was detected and was surgically treated.In conclusion, following blunt abdominal trauma, operative management is even recommended in patients who present with significant abdominal pain but minimal or absence of pathological findings in abdominal CT-scan imaging.